Panchayat orders killing of wild animals threatening residents
In a controversial decision, a panchayat in Kerala’s Kozhikode has decided to illegally shoot and kill all wild animals that enter human habitats. A video doing the rounds on social media shows Chakkittapara panchayat president K Sunil, stating that the governing body made the decision unanimously, considering the difficulties faced by the residents in the panchayat.“A direction was given to the shooter’s panel in the panchayat to kill all wild animals that enter the human habitat. This is not an emotional decision. People here are thinking of suicide due to the difficulties caused by the wild animals. So, everyone unanimously made this decision,” the president can be seen saying in the video.While acknowledging that killing wild animals is against the law, Sunil added that the decision was made in the interest of the people in the panchayat. Chakkittapara is one of the many panchayats in Kerala facing a continuous wildlife threat to both lives and crops. Last year, a leopard was spotted in the area. In 2022, the Kerala Cabinet gave local bodies permission to kill wild boars that damage agriculture, property, and endanger lives. However, poisoning, electrocution, and the use of bombs are strictly prohibited. Killing other animals remains illegal.Following this government permit, a 20-member shooting panel has been operating in the panchayat for a year to shoot wild boars. Chippi Manoj, the vice president of the panchayat, told TNM that the same panel will be used to shoot other animals. “Apart from boars, monkeys and elephants are causing difficulties for residents,” Chippi said. Fifteen ward members from various political parties agreed to the decision, while the panchayat secretary expressed disagreement. The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 only allows the Chief Wildlife Warden to order the killing of an animal. Section 11 of the Act states: “No wild animal shall be ordered to be killed unless the Chief Wild Life Warden is satisfied that such animal cannot be captured, tranquilised or translocated.”
IN a controversial decision, a panchayat in Kozhikode has decided to illegally shoot and kill all wild animals that enter human habitats.
A video doing the rounds on social media shows Chakkittapara panchayat president K Sunil, stating that the governing body made the decision unanimously, considering the difficulties faced by the residents in the panchayat.
“A direction was given to the shooter’s panel in the panchayat to kill all wild animals that enter the human habitat. This is not an emotional decision. People here are thinking of suicide due to the difficulties caused by the wild animals. So, everyone unanimously made this decision,” the president can be seen saying in the video.
While acknowledging that killing wild animals is against the law, Sunil added that the decision was made in the interest of the people in the panchayat.
Chakkittapara is one of the many panchayats in Kerala facing a continuous wildlife threat to both lives and crops. Last year, a leopard was spotted in the area.
In 2022, the Kerala Cabinet gave local bodies permission to kill wild boars that damage agriculture, property, and endanger lives. However, poisoning, electrocution, and the use of bombs are strictly prohibited. Killing other animals remains illegal.
Following this government permit, a 20-member shooting panel has been operating in the panchayat for a year to shoot wild boars.
Chippi Manoj, the vice president of the panchayat, told TNM that the same panel will be used to shoot other animals.
“Apart from boars, monkeys and elephants are causing difficulties for residents,” Chippi said.
Fifteen ward members from various political parties agreed to the decision, while the panchayat secretary expressed disagreement.
The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 only allows the Chief Wildlife Warden to order the killing of an animal. Section 11 of the Act states: “No wild animal shall be ordered to be killed unless the Chief Wild Life Warden is satisfied that such animal cannot be captured, tranquilised or translocated.”
